Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Watch your students discover their inner Archimedes and Leonardo da Vinci on this STEM-focused tour through Athens, Delphi, Florence, and Rome. Your class will discover the enormous-yet-intricate nature of ancient architecture as they explore Grecian temples, Hadrian’s arch, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Roman Forum. Your students will also be challenged on a STEM scavenger hunt through Athens, explore the vast collection of the Vatican, and tour the Galileo Museum in Florence.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Greece (Athens)
Day 2
Arrive in Athens
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Athens city walk
In Athens, history is never far away. Walk with your Tour Director through the Plaka district, where winding streets reveal balconies filled with flowers and tavernas alive with traditional dancing. Then visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, begun in the 6th century BC and finished by Hadrian in AD 132, and see Hadrian’s Arch, once marking the divide between ancient and imperial Athens.
Day 3
Athens guided sightseeing tour
Explore Athens with your local guide, where ancient history and modern life meet. Visit the Acropolis, the heart of classical Athens, to see the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the elegant Temple of Athena Nike. Admire sweeping views of the city before stopping at the 2004 Olympic site, a symbol of Greece’s enduring athletic spirit. Continue to Syntagma Square to watch the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Parliament, then to Omonoia Square, a lively gathering place surrounded by cafés and olive trees.
STEM scavenger hunt
Take interactive learning to the next level with a Tour Director-led STEM scavenger hunt through Athens. Complete fun activities and solve clues, each designed to maximize on-tour experiential learning.
Day 4
Cape Sounion guided excursion
Visit the Temple of Poseidon, perched high atop the hill of Cape Sounion at the southernmost tip of Central Greece. Stand among its tall marble pillars rising from the rocky cliffs and gaze out over the calm Aegean Sea. Built between 450–440 BC, around the same time as the Parthenon, the temple offers a tranquil contrast to the bustle of Athens.
Travel to Delphi
Day 5
Delphi guided sightseeing tour
Explore the ruins of Delphi, once considered the centre of the world. In the Temple of Apollo, a priestess inhaled vapors to deliver prophecies, inspiring leaders for centuries. Today, visitors may find their own inspiration in sweeping views from Mount Parnassus, rising more than 8,000 feet above.
LEAP Temple Architecture
Explore ancient temple architecture and its influence on modern design. Then bring history to life through a creative activity: build a scene from a panel image, considering its context, characters, and message, and perform it as a believable story judged by theatre critics.
Travel to Patras
Overnight ferry to Ancona
Day 6
Travel to Florence
Dinner en route to Florence
Day 7
Florence guided sightseeing tour
Discover Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Admire the Duomo with Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery’s famed Gates of Paradise that inspired generations of artists. Visit Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria, once the seat of Florentine power, and step inside Dante’s House to learn about the poet’s legacy. At Santa Croce, see the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Conclude your day by crossing the Ponte Vecchio and visiting a leather workshop to see one of Florence’s most famous crafts.
Galileo Museum visit
Explore a collection featuring Galileo’s telescopes, astronomical instruments, and manuscripts for a firsthand look at his groundbreaking experiments and theories.
Leonardo da Vinci Museum visit
Discover replicas of da Vinci’s groundbreaking machines, interactive displays, and original sketches that showcase his lasting impact on art, science, and engineering.
Day 8
Travel to Rome
Ancient Rome guided sightseeing tour
Step inside the Colosseum with a licensed guide, once the stage for gladiators, naval battles, and wild beast hunts, and explore the underground chambers where animals were kept. Continue to the Forum Romanum, the hub of Roman politics, religion, and commerce. Conclude at Piazza Venezia, framed by its grand palaces and the striking Victor Emmanuel Monument.
Day 9
Vatican City guided sightseeing tour
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, with its vast colonnades that seem to embrace the world. Inside, admire Michelangelo’s soaring dome, rising 452 feet above the ground, and his renowned Pietà. Then step into the Sistine Chapel, where the artist reluctantly painted frescoes that today stand among the world’s greatest masterpieces.
Rome city walk
Discover Rome’s iconic landmarks on a guided walk. At the Spanish Steps, see the “sinking ship” fountain, designed that way because of low water pressure that forced the artist to sink it below street level. Marvel at the Trevi Fountain’s Baroque grandeur, the Pantheon’s soaring dome, and Piazza Navona, where Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers anchors the bustling square.
Authentic trattoria dinner
Day 10
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Sorrento
Watch artisans carve cameos, an ancient craft dating back to Greece and Rome. Explore Pompeii, the city of 20,000 frozen in time nearly 2,000 years ago when Vesuvius erupted, revealing everyday life in remarkable detail. The next day, cruise to Capri and, weather permitting, enter the Blue Grotto, where reflected sunlight fills the cave with a silver-blue glow before heading home.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions.
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Scenes from Greece and Italy
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.
